PSAT Prep

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized exam administered by the College Board and offered in the fall to juniors at most high schools. It tests students’ math, reading, and writing skills. The primary purpose of the PSAT/NMSQT is to familiarize students with the SAT, but it also serves the important function of determining a student’s eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship program. That means that of the millions of students who take the test, the 50,000 juniors with the top scores will qualify as Commended Students or Semifinalists and the top 15,000 scorers qualify as Finalists. These designations not only look great on college applications but can also mean major scholarship money.

Like the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT tests students’ skills in Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; however, there is no Essay section. Students are given 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the test.

The College Board also administers two additional versions of the PSAT: The PSAT 8/9 and the PSAT 10, offered to students in grades 8, 9, and 10 as their names indicate. Though these tests aren’t directly related to college scholarships, they do serve as good barometers of college readiness, as well as useful introductions to the SAT.

Elite’s PSAT programs help students get a head start on the test preparation process and improve their chances of receiving a National Merit Scholarship. Students take practice tests and dive into challenging curriculum, so they’re completely comfortable with the test and fully prepared to take the PSAT during their sophomore or junior year.